When does recruiting become immoral? When does it become filthy? When does it become illegal?
Picture this: you go to your mailbox and see all of your letters from many different schools. In the cluster of letters, you see a package with no return address on it. As you open the package up, you see a Tiger Paw in orange and purple.
Your curiosity is up, so you read what's in the package. The package has a brochure that has seven different players from your arch-rival included in it. Beside each name, it talks about what this person has been charged with. It goes on to create a picture that this school creates an atmosphere for thugs, and if you go there they will probably change your wholesome ways.
This propaganda is interesting because they do not send a follow up letter stating in all seven cases charges were dropped. They do not apologize for assuming these players are thugs, nor does it acknowledge many of the same things have happened at their own school.
Not only is this ridiculous, but unprofessional. What makes this worse is the person who is sending these packets out will not confess to doing this.
So who's doing this?
Many have pointed at two Internet gurus for recruiting websites, but I would have to think they have to much to lose for something like this. Maybe not, but whoever this is needs to come to the forefront and apologize for the ridiculous thing they are doing.
What school might you ask is doing this? The school is none other than Clemson University. I'm sure you can guess if you had to which school they were slamming (South Carolina). Tommy Bowden is not to blame, nor is the rest of the coaching staff, but the individuals who were and are involved with this are classless, and should apologize!
30 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
BabyTate 11 months ago
Interesting information. Good reporting.
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Thomas Brown 11 months ago
How do you even know this happened...
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Trey Robinson 11 months ago
Because these packets have been shown to the University of South Carolina Coaching staff.
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Thomas Brown 11 months ago
and are you on the SC coaching staff?
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Justin Hokanson 11 months ago
He's not now, but he went there, was a part of the football staff a few years ago, and knows a lot of people. I would trust him.
I saw Spurrier come out and address this. Spurrier wouldn't come out and completely make this up just for his own entertainment. I don't doubt for a second that Clemson is doing this.
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Timothy Croley 11 months ago
This is the first I've heard of this. To tell you the truth though, nothing surprises me much any more in the world of sports, on any level. Thanks for the update.
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Psycho Tea 11 months ago
Don't be jealous just because we're kicking your ass at recruiting. We have a better stadium, better facilities, a better school, a better team and much sweeter uniforms. Also, the charges were dropped because Spurrier and the other USC bigwigs made them go away. There are rapists and thieves on your roster, face the facts.
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Jim Henderson 11 months ago
Sweeter uniform? Judged by some publications as being among the worst in the nation. They are as sweet as Tammy is when he's staring at players in tight pants. BTW, any MORE of your players beat up their girlfriends and pushed them down the stairs recently?
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Psycho Tea 11 months ago
Well read the publications. Many recruits have said that they loved trying on the sweet orange top with their name on it along with the purple pants. It helps with recruiting.
As far as McDaniel is concerned, this is the first case of any type of violent or aggravated charges against a Clemson player in a long time. We'll see how the trial goes, but the athletic program isn't going to pay of his girlfriend... this isn't Columbia and we're not desperate enough for talent to deal with someone like Garcia or others.
PS... Tommy was simply trying to get his new QB some pussy by saying he had a nice bod. Spurrier is the racist who does UA commercials and says "yeah, that boy can really run", "click clack nig nog" and "I'm getting a 5 star rating in my pants watching this dark boy in his tights".
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
This story broke via a Steve Spurrier comment. Spurrier inferred this occurred. A Columbia sports talk show, that also happens to be a huge affilitate of South Carolina athletics stirred the pot. I am not sure of any newspaper or tv station reporting this.
But these jokes, about South Carolina football players, have been around since Holtz last three years. Things go in cycles, and lately, the last six years, no one can deny the problems the football team has had with the law.
South Carolina has just re-admiited Stephen Garcia to school after his third brush with the law in a little over the year. Garcia, a highly touted recruit from Florida, was to be Spurrier best quarterback ever. The question now becomes, how many times before one is dismissed from the team?
Besides, it is funny. Does anyone really think a kid is going to decided where he wants to spend the next four years of his life based off something like this. Heck, some kids might like the "freedom." offered by the administartion of South Carolina.
There are certainly worse problems, ask Phil Fulmer.
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Michael 11 months ago
The South Carolina-Clemson rivalry is the most passionate football rivalry in America. It only fits that Clemson fans would send negative press clippings to recruits. That being said, recruits have the same access to newspapers and the internet as anyone else and can make intelligent decisions on their future. It is just a new wrinkle to an already over intense college rivalry.
Also, Clemson uniforms are pretty awful. Can't believe Bowden started adding more purple to the color scheme, too. Clemson football players have faced their own set of criminal offenses and Bowden is much more lenient on punishment and timetables for making decisions regarding a player's status with the team.
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
Michael,
All schools have problems with players. But Clemson is not more lenient than South Carolina. I am sorry if that offends you, but it is fact. You can not give an example of this. Garcia, who has been arrested three times in the course of a year and a half has been allowed back to school! This would not happen at Clemson, Vandy, UNC, Penn State, Georgia, LSU etc............ I do not have a problem with this, but a problem with your statement that is factless and that you give no comparative data. I
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Michael 11 months ago
DeAndre McDaniels of Clemson allegedly pushed a woman down the stairs and is about to suit up for the tigers. He was charged and Bowden has ignored the situation. Whereas Steve Spurrier will suspend a player immediately when facing charges (Dion LeCorn). Dion LeCorn later had charges dropped and will likely play a significant role this year on offense.
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Tim Lane 11 months ago
You know what's tasteless and classless? Using the title of "Clemson Uses Classless Propaganda" in order to insinuate that Clemson University and/or it's football program have a hand in this. We can certainly all agree that these mailings are sophomoric and stupid, but I personally have a special file for junk mail called the trash can. I'd suggest that players who are getting this stuff invest in one too. I don't defend whoever's doing this, but it's totally circumstantial and unsubstantiated to point a finger at the school or football team for this.
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Chris Bridges 11 months ago
Why is SOS so desperate? Comparing schedules & claiming negative recruiting practices? You should really change the title of your article for it is very misleading. The title should be "I'm a gamecock fan and i need to find a reason why Clemson is out recruiting us every year?" Here is the thing, SOS needs to start winning more games. Period. He needs to worry about his schedule and ways of improving the University of S. Carolina so that young recruits will want to go there.
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jason ertter 11 months ago
You Tiglets are so predictable... all you can talk about is the past. Yes, you have defeated Carolina more often than not, and yes you are currently winning the in-state recruiting battle. What you omit from your comments gives folks the most insight - the last ACC Championship you won was way back in 1991, despite the fact that you have had superior talent most of those years. You guys are obviously more focused on beating Carolina every year than you are winning the ACC.
SOS is just now getting his core players into the system, and we are finally getting out of the Holtz era. Someone mentioned Garcia's run ins with the law; the reason he is still on the team (he is back under a zero tolerance policy by the way, that's not exactly a light punishment) is because all of his infractions were very minor. We don't have any more rapists and thugs on our team than any other, including Clemson. At least along the way, we can try to attract players by offering them the chance to play for one of the best coaches of all time, and not a dirty, crybaby like Bowden. We didn't include pictures of a certain Clemson recruit waving his cash around in our packets to potential players, now did we?
You took advantage of our injury-riddled defense last year (last drive had how many consecutive throws to 6'5" Kelly over 5'9" Addison Williams???) and BARELY squeaked by us. You are right to be afaid of the Gamecocks, we're on the rise and Clemson continues to be satisfied trying to beat Carolina year after year. We'll be laughing all the way to the SECCG while you're already planning on your strategy for next year's Battle of the Palmetto State. Enjoy another underachieving year, Taters!
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
Good point Jason,
let us not talk about the past. That would solve all the arguing buecause USC-Columbia has nothing to talk about. I mean you do not want to bring up your losing record in the SEC over the past four years. You do not want to bring up your record against Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida or Arkansas. You certainly do not want to talk about championships. We will not talk about the past.
If we forget the past, then the Shamecocks, who play at Williams Brice Industrial Complex, are just as good as LSU, Southern Cal, Michigan, etc. BUT, if we look to the past, we see Vandy, Furman and the Citadel being better than the Shamecocks. I am sorry Georgia fans, your title in 1980 does not count. Jason says so. Florida, your national title two years ago, gone.... Jason says we can not look to the past. In fact Southern Cal and Alabama. I am sorry. You are not allowed to talk about the past. Miamia, you are not allowed to speak of the glory days of the Orange Bowl. Nebraska and Oklahoma, you can not talk about Switzer and Osborne.
Jason, you are only as good as your past. That is what makes you.
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
Michael,
The McDaniel case is a little different than say Vincent's or Coleman's. Both of those players were kicked off the team as soon as it happened. both of these players were seniors and one had a DUI and the other a simple possesion charge. They were both kickced off BEFORE their trials.
I am not going to bore others with the facts of the case, but the University review board cleared him and he is in school. Of course you also fail to mention the five witnesses who all say she, well let us just say, got HER facts confused.
But to compare the off field anticts of South Carolina with ANY school in the ACC or SEC over the last three years................... is laughable. Spurrier even threatned to quit if South Carolina did not lower the academic standards for footballl players last February. Guess what happened? Do you think that would happen at Kentcuky. Do you think that would happend at UNC?
It is what it is............... you have 100 young men between the ages of 18 and 22. There are going to be problems. If you can, as a head coach, keep 98% of them out of trouble, win games and have them graduated. You will do fine.
the problem is that Super Steve has lost the three years. He is 11-13 in conference and against the big five he is: 1-2 against Florida, 1-2 against Arkansas, 1-2 against Tennessee, 1-2 against Georgia and of course 1-2 against Clemson. In fact only one game seperates Lou and Steve over the first three years in Columbia against those five teams. Holtz gets it back when comparing bowl games. Lou was 2-0 vs the currnet coache's 1-1 record.
Bottom line, start winning and Steve will not have to make quips like he did to the media. Or his latest, "Clemson has an easier schedule because they play Alabama and we play LSU." No one cares if you win.
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Michael 11 months ago
Jay,
Don't get so worked up. It is not Clemson's responsibility to police their fanbase over how they use the postal system. And it is the student's responsibility to choose wisely regarding their future. There's no question that Spurrier has not had the success at South Carolina as he had at Florida, however, he finished 2nd in the SEC east his first year and beat Florida for the first time since 1938. He has broken long losing streaks against Clemson and Georgia and was the first Carolina coach to defeat Tennessee in Tennessee. South Carolina has a poor history and it doesn't take much to 'make history'. Clemson has out-recruited South Carolina nearly every year in recent history but it has yielded no ACC championships since Florida State joined the ACC. They are the most talented team in the ACC this year and quite possibly the most talented team on South Carolina's schedule, however, anything less than an ACC Championship and even you will have to admit Tommy Bowden is not the right coach to lead Clemson in the future.
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Eric Swing 11 months ago
In the interest of fill disclosure, I'm a Clemson fan. That being said, in my opinion, pretty poor reporting. The hearsay thing may work around your friends, but you need to state credible sources, of which you have none. If this happened, its despicable, but you have failed to meet the burden of proof. This article sounds just like the whinings of an upset South Carolina fan. If this was true, wouldn't the University of South Carolina push hard for an NCAA investigation of Clemson University? Even if the allegations proved untrue, Clemson could be damaged in the court of public opinion. But there has been nothing of the sort. In fact, this is the first I've heard of this "incident." Some definative proof could change my views.
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Greg C 11 months ago
Totally irresponsible of this website and this blogger to imply Clemson University is in any way involved with this action...They are not...No more so than you a Gamecock Fan are an agent of the University of South Carolina.
- First it's a rumor, and you have no evidence it actually happened.
- Second you have utilized a Clemson logo at the top of your article without the permission of Clemson University. It's likely a trademark violation, but fortunately for you Clemson University probably won't pay any attention to your blog.
- Lastly let me comment on Bleacher Report itself...allowing tripe like this on your website diminishes any legitimacy you may be trying to establish. I understand this site is basically an open forum, but you claim to edit the columns in some form or fashion. Wouldn't it be best to not allow something that is so poorly written, a likely trademark violation, and implies things which are clearly false?
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kyle m 11 months ago
I can't belive one word that comes from that bunch of sorry chickens down in cootville. The OLD ball coach has even stopped his single vote for Duke in the polls. Thought he said "I always do that"? Seems someone has a LIAR for a coach who realzes he will amount to nothing and is grasping at straws to divert negative attention away from his MANY failures!!!!!
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Douglas Niedermeyer 11 months ago
The "start-winning" cry is one that can always trump any contention of fowl-play bemoaned by the target of such action. And it is quite true, one must admit.
Baby Doc, Mussolini, Hirohito and Notre Dame have all bellowed such credo over the course of history. Wait a minute .... that's not a fair analogy.
A sophmoric response to that statement might possibly come about - echoing a sentiment of "How can you compare the actions of a culpable football program to that of such despicable charaters?"
Well ... let me clarify by posing this question to you: Did you pull for the Nazis when they weren't fighting the Allies?"
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
Michael,
You know I am going to get worked up. It is college footbal. A couple things. Holtz out-recruited Clemson every year but his first. Even we he finished 0-11 and South Carolina owned a 21 game losing streak, he had better talent. Of course, there is the actual assessment of talent and I personally believe that if you have a top 40 rectuiting class, coaching takes over.
FSU, acording to Rivals, has more talent than Clemson or anyone else in the ACC, save perhaps Miami, Which, sort of is hog-wash. If a kid looks at Clemson or South Carolina he may be a three star recruit. If he looks at Florida or FSU, then his stock magically rises. Willie Korn was ranked a 5 star qb until he signed with Clemson. He then dropped to a 4 star.
You make some valid points about SS. But I simply look at the big five that you must play each year and what the previous coaches did against them.
As far as Tommy is concerned. I love him. I am not like the rest of my Clemson friends. I will take 9-3 or 8-4 every year. I remember Tommy West and his last year. 3-8 with losses to Duke and Wake Forest. Clemson is at a point now where we can compete with anyone in the nation. No one is going to blow us out. We might not win, but we have a chance. We could not say that the first three years when Tommy was here.
In any case, I do not think we can win the division this year. We have just ONE player back with any expierce at linebacker. The teams we play, and their coaches will eat that up. But I will take 8 or 9 wins and welcome you to Death Valley in November.
By the way, I hate the fact it is played on Thanksgiving Saturday. The last two games there were tickets everywhere at both South Carolina and Clemson. I would love to play the Thursday or Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving.
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Michael 11 months ago
Agreed about the playing it thanksgiving weekend. There wasn't always a bye week for SC before that game and I would much prefer it played the week prior to thanksgiving. Not a big fan of thursday night games (except in August because I have been waiting sooooo long). About Lou Holtz out recruiting Clemson, I guess there is the issue of perception. Derek Watson may have been a stellar recruit but when he actually came to the school he self-imploded so there is the issue of accuracy in evaluating prospects (similar story with Demetris Summers). And I understand there are biases to star rankings depending on what schools offer and where players commit.
I think this years game should be a close one though. I hope the 63-17 blowout days are gone for good.
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emilleen farquarp 11 months ago
Trey,
I see your opinion is as mixed up as your manGINA. south carolina university is a name now written in small letters to indicate its stature.
Little more over-emphasis on this listless boy scout topic, and you JUST MIGHT turn us Tigers laughing out loud into speechlessness.
-Doc Tesla
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
Michael,
i have been attending Clemson games since 1977. I have see a lot of good running backs come and go. Almost too many too name. But Demetris Summers was as good as any of them. He had strength and speed. But he also had vision. What a waste that he could not stay focussed!
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Kim Sherrer 11 months ago
I have been a Gamecock since birth. My boyfriend is a tater and tries his best to rib me with useless comments about Gamecock arrests, etc. Has anyone stopped to consider the fact that since Clemson is in hickville and not in a metropolitan area such as Columbia with a cop on every block that is why there are less arrests of Clemson players? In a small community like that you can pretty much get away with murder and not get caught. One of my best friends graduated from Clemson and proceeded to go to Med School at USC and commented on many occasions how she noticed a serious problem with cops profiling student athletes, arresting them for nothing and letting all the fratastic fools do as they wish. She hardly saw cops when she was at Clemson and maybe the reason being that Clemson wouldn't exist without the university, therefore the school will do whatever it takes to ensure that their athletes' bad behavior goes unnoticed b/c lets not fool ourselves....any kid in college is going to test the waters, go to parties and conduct themselves in a manner unbecoming to the coaching staff, etc.
As far as the packets go...this just shows us how low Clemson/Clemson fans will go to try to make us look bad. Give it a rest!!! You may have won the Nat'l Championship 1 time, but that was 27 years ago!!!
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Jay Schrimpf 11 months ago
Kim,
Then why do we not hear of the same problems with Ga. Tech, Temple, Pitt, Southern Cal, UCLA and on on on.......... NO Kim, things go in cycles and since Holtz arrived on the scene it has been obvious. I really thought Spurrier would do more to clean this up. But his comments last recruiting season about quitting unless the academic standards were lowered and allowing someone on the team who has been arrested three times in the course of a year tells me he only cares about himself and winnig.
South Carolna needs to hire a young coach like they did in basketball. The problems at South Carolian will persist until a new coach is hired. He may nor may not win. And I am sure there are more police in Clemsn per capita than in Columbia. You may want to consider, the caliber of student. Keep in mind, Clemson has the academic review board that looks at a student athlete AFTER he or she is admitted to see if that student athlete fits the mold Clemson wants. (I hate this, but by in large, I must admit it works.)
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Scotty Gamecock 4 months ago
Go milk a cow, Jay. You are spreading misinformation. Spurrier never threatened to quit if academic standards weren't lowered. He said he would consider leaving if USC continued to deny admission to recruits whom the SC coaching staff had invested considerable time and resources recruiting.
Garcia was arrested twice, not three times. In both cases, Garcia made foolish, youthful mistakes for which he has taken full responsibility. He keyed a car and got busted for underage drinking - these are not violent crimes. He didn't push his girlfriend down a flight of stairs, a la your boy DeAndre McDaniel.
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